Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: McNeely appeared in 34 games for Northeastern as a sophomore – missing seven games late in the season with a sprained ankle. He scored 8 goals with 12 assists and was +10 with 71 PMs. Northeastern finished second in Hockey East during the regular season – the school's first winning season since 2001-02 – and faced Cornell in an NCAA regional semifinal.

2009-10: McNeely was a team captain and skated in 33 of 34 games as a junior at Northeastern. He was the third-leading scorer for the Huskies, who finished ninth in Hockey East and missed the league playoffs. He scored 12 goals, including 6 power play goals, with 16 assists and was -3 with 42 PMs.

2010-11: McNeely made his professional debut on an amateur tryout with Bridgeport (AHL) following his senior season at Northeastern and impressed Islanders brass enough to earn a free agent contract. In ten games for the last-place Sound Tigers he scored 5 goals with 6 assists and was +9 with 4 PMs. McNeely was the second-leading scorer for Northeastern during his senior season as the Huskies finished a disappointing sixth in Hockey East. McNeely skated in all 38 games for the Huskies and had 13 goals with 21 assists and was +9 with 52 PMs. McNeely scored five times on the power play for the Huskies.

Talent Analysis

McNeely has average size and was not a highly sought after college free agent. He has very good hands and tremendous finishing ability. He can fill in wherever he is needed and is very solid on the penalty kill.

Future

McNeely is long shot to make the Islanders, but could fill in as a solid bottom-six forward with the Islanders when needed.

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The Phoenix Coyotes have signed defenseman Martin Grenier to a mulit year contract. Grenier became an unrestricted free agent after he failed to sign with Boston before the June 1st deadline for all 1999 draftees. The 20 year old Grenier, selected in the 2nd round of the 1999 draft by the Colorado Avalanche and dealt to the Bruins in the Ray Bourque deal, just completed his 4th season of junior hockey.

The 6’5 245 pound Grenier played 26 games for the Quebec Ramparts and 28 for the Victoriaville Tigres this past year. He is now one of the biggest players in the Coyotes’ organization, and they are glad to have him. He will likely see time next season in the AHL but it is possible he could crack the Coyotes’ defense during camp.

Other News: As expected the Phoenix Coyotes failed to sign Scott Kelman, the club’s 1st choice in ’99, 15th overall. Since they did not sign him, they will receive the 45th overall pick in this year’s draft as compensation. Also, Preston Mizzi was not signed as well.

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In the last few weeks Islander fans in cyberspace have been treated to every possible rumor regarding who they will draft, or who they will trade the pick for.

Even the chance at moving up to draft first has been in the headlines. Mike Milbury has openly talked about what the pick could bring and has even hinted that next year’s pick could be traded as well in an interview on Wfan.

What Mike Milbury, the Islanders Owners, and the Scouting Staff should do is take a step back in the remaining time before June 23rd and look at all the players on other teams that have been drafted by this organization and understand it’s time to keep the core group of players here that began with the 1999 draft and let them finish what they started even if it means some Unrestricted Free Agents decide not to come here. NHL General Managers always talk about using the Devils as models as to how to put together a winning franchise long term, the Islanders now can do just that.

Some credit to the New Islanders owners has to be given because very quietly among the criticism for keeping Mike Milbury they have signed many of their drafted prospects in: Rick DiPietro, Juraj Kolnik, Taylor Pyatt, Raffi Torres, Branislav Mezei and now Justin Mapletoft to go with their brand new AHL franchise in Bridgeport.

I can only speak for myself in this article, but from what I have read from many fans what they want is for the franchise to stick to a plan, keep the kids and close down the Mad Mike Show on draft day. It’s old, tired, and it’s not working. It’s time for Read more»

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They don’t come much bigger. They don’t come much stronger. And most
of all, they don’t have any worse tempers. Those 3 attributes will make Mike
Komisarek a high high selection in this years draft. There is a chance he
will be the first defensemen taken. It looks like he will be battling Dan
Hamhuis for that honor. Komisarek will remind you of any big big hard hitting
defenseman. Chris Pronger and Derian Hatcher come to mind. Maybe even a
bigger Scott Stevens. At 6’4, 225, Komisarek led a Michigan Wolverines team
that featured other top prospects like Andy Hilbert and Mike Cammalleri to
the NCAA Frozen Four.

Komisarek is also a average offensive player. Not great
or anything, but chances are he won’t hurt your team. Yet NHL teams will be
attracted to his strength and grit. Always willing to standup for teammates
and mix it up with the other teams top tough guys. What makes Komisarek a
special find, is that he has other tools besides his strength. You can get
goons anywhere. But to find a talented one is a task. He’d certainly be a
good look for a NHL team who needs a solid defensemen. We all know how many
of them are out there. His offensive game is good enough to get by. Yet his
grit, size, strength and desire is what will put him over the top.

Look for
him to possibly slide into the top 10 on draft day. Last year there wasn’t
really a player in the early first round like Komisarek. All the defenseman
last year like Klesla, were solid solid offensive players. Komisarek is a
little different. But different is Read more»

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IHL NEWS

The Manitoba Moose unveiled Stan Smyl as their new head coach Tuesday, a day after joining the American Hockey League from the defunct International Hockey League.
The Moose also made official that their NHL affiliation would be the Vancouver Canucks.

“When looking at affiliation, it was important for us to be associated with a Canadian-based franchise and the Canucks are a quality, first-class organization,” said Moose owner Mark Chipman.

The teams agreed to a five-year partnership deal.
Randy Carlyle stays on as general manager for the Moose, who were among six former IHL teams to move to the AHL.
Smyl, has been with the Canucks organization since he was drafted as a player in 1978. He led the Kansas City Blades to a 37-42-3 record in the IHL last season.

“While our organization’s number one goal is to develop the future stars of the Vancouver Canucks, it is equally important to put a competitive team on the ice that Manitobans can be proud of,” said Smyl. “I look forward to working with Randy and taking a run at a Calder Cup championship.”

The Moose also re-styled their team jerseys. The new look features a Canucks shoulder patch with the colour scheme switching from purple, green and black, to a forest green, bronze and black.

“With the new affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks, and our entry into a new league, we thought it would be fitting to give our hockey club a new and more modern look,” said Moose vice-president Tim Scott. “We feel these new uniforms combine many of hockey’s traditions with an exciting look Read more»

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With the NHL 2001 entry draft slated to begin within weeks, the Jagr rumors have begun to intensify. The Pittsburgh franchise and specifically GM Craig Patrick will be the spotlight for what may prove to be one of the biggest trades in NHL history.

Critics liken the situation to that of Gretzky going to Los Angeles or Lindros going to Philadelphia. No doubt, Penguins fans will expect nothing less than fair market value. However, several key factors come into play. The Pens are looking to unload Jagr’s salary to free up budget room to re-sign all-star scorers Kovalev and Straka. So trading for a current legitimate NHLer is more than not likely in the cards.

The Penguins will most likely be looking to add inexpensive depth players to round out the roster and any combination of picks, prospects, and/or cash. Commissioner Gary Bettman will also be expected to monitor the move to insure that cash value does not violate league restrictions.

Sources for the team indicate that now would be the best time to make such a deal for many reasons, the most obvious is to solidify a core group of performers to afford Mario one more decent shot at a Cup before re-entering retirement. Mario has only committed to one more season and the Olympics, so the window of opportunity may be minute.

The teams rumored to be interested currently include the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, and the San Jose Sharks. Teams that struggled this season and have the payroll also cannot be discounted which would bring the New York Ra Read more»